
South Korea reacts by saying Ukraine's president's publication violates non-disclosure agreement
The South Korean government is apologizing and intensifying its opposition to Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's announcement that he has transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, calling it a violation of a prior nondisclosure agreement.
AI-generated summary
It has been reported that two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine have been transferred to South Korea and are being protected by South Korean intelligence authorities.
[Seoul Jiji] The South Korean government is becoming increasingly irritated by Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's announcement that he has transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine, saying it broke a prior agreement to keep the matter private.
Ukrainian president transfers North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea for the first time since the invasion
On the 23rd, Zelenskyy said in his general debate speech at the United Nations General Assembly that he had sent two people to South Korea. The two were captured in Russia's western Kursk region in January 2025, and are said to have expressed an intention to defect to South Korea. The South Korean government has avoided confirming the facts, but reports say the two are being protected by South Korean intelligence authorities.
On the 24th, President Lee Jae-myung posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Ukraine had broken the agreement. ``I don't know what the circumstances are, but I am very disappointed.''
According to Ukrainian media, a close aide to Zelenskyy later stated that "there was no (private) agreement." In response, a senior South Korean official in the presidential office issued a statement on the 27th, criticizing the Ukrainian side once again, calling it ``an act that seriously undermines the trust between the two governments,'' assuming the existence of an agreement.

We will bring together the latest breaking news in a wide range of fields, including Prime Minister Takaichi's policy for formulating a national intelligence strategy, the agreements reached at the U.S.-China summit, the death of screenwriter Satoshi Kuramoto, former Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka's intention to run again, and Ohnosato's victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Former Yokohama City Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who resigned due to power harassment issues with senior staff, informed his supporters at a supporter's association meeting of his intention to re-enter the mayor's race. The official announcement is scheduled to be made at a press conference on the 29th.

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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to pass a bill to lower the consumption tax rate on food products to 1% for two years at the extraordinary Diet session to be convened on October 5th, but Democratic Party of Japan representative Yuichiro Tamaki has presented a counterproposal centered on raising the amount of resident tax deduction, deepening the conflict over the direction of the policy. The ruling party has a majority in the House of Representatives but only a majority in the House of Councilors, so cooperation from opposition parties is needed, but there is little room for compromise.

Former Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who resigned due to power harassment issues, has confirmed his intention to run again in the mayoral election to be counted on October 18th. Five newcomers have already announced their candidacy, and a crowded field is expected.